In this final issue, it dawns upon me the ephemerality of our interflow. As I pen these words, a bittersweet titillation lingers in my chest, as if hesitant to bid adieu to the inkstained dreams that waltzed upon these hallowed pages. Like a fleeting comet, our time as your Student Union Elleni has elapsed. Here, I collect our scattered stardust, rearrange our cosmos, and gather our thoughts into a final farewell.
Launching the new and reinventing the old, we dared to defy the ordinary. From St. Paul’s Kitchen “Carne” to local exchanges “Okami”, we held the ambitions of the avant-garde tight in our embrace. Fully conscious of the impending bell, our hearts chose to live in blissful ignorance: seizing the day, snagging the last reverberations of laughter, savoring the remnants of our shared jubilation. Now, the time is up. The bell rings, we let go, and as the curtain gracefully descends, I stand humbled by the privilege of being your guide through these constellations of memories.
editor a word fromthe
The pulsar radiates beams each millisecond, which merge into perpetual rays of illumination. Yes, our time here is momentary. Yes, our happiness is short-lived. Yes, as one, our glow will last a lifetime.
As the ink dries upon this final page, we wear badges of honor: for adopting a new Identity as your student leaders, for serving you through endless Innovation and pioneering activities, for nurturing bonds of Interrelation that you and I cherish, and most importantly, for staying true to the St. Paulian spirit. Within transient endings lies the eternal promise of beginnings, of infinitude, and of tomorrows together. Our galactic journey shall ever unfold.
With gratitude and a heart full of anticipation,
GraceSeto
SECTION1
CHRISTMASFAIR&BALL
Our school was adorned with festive cheer as Elleni orchestrated two unforgettable events, the Christmas Fair “Tarandro” and the Christmas Ball “Retrouver”. These events provided us with a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in the magic of the holiday season, creating cherished memories that would surely be treasured for years to come.
As the winter air filled with anticipation, the school covered playground transformed into a whimsical realm for the Christmas Fair “Tarandro”. Colorful booths decorated with twinkling lights and shimmering decorations lined the courtyard, inviting us to explore the delights that awaited us.
Laughter and excitement filled the air as we eagerly engaged in a variety of activities. Carolers, their voices harmonious and heartwarming, serenaded the crowd with beloved Christmas melodies. The air was alive with the cheers and laughter of students engaging in fun games at game stalls, reveling in the spirit of camaraderie.
Tantalizing scents wafted from food stalls, offering different delectable treats. We savored the flavors of the season, our taste buds tingling with delight.
‘Tarandro’
Within the vibrant festivities, Tarandro went beyond mere celebration. It provided a meaningful platform for us to engage in acts of kindness and compassion. The Fair reminded us of the spirit of giving during the holiday season and encouraged us to spread joy and support those in need.
The anticipation reached its peak as the night of the Christmas Ball “Retrouver” arrived. Elegantly dressed students filled the hall of Wah Yan College Hong Kong. The venue had been transformed into a breathtaking space, with shimmering lights creating an atmosphere of joy.
‘Retrouver’
Ice-breaking activities in the classroom allowed students from the three schools - Belilios Public School, Wah Yan College Hong Kong, and our school to know more about each other and break down barriers. Laughter echoed throughout the ballroom as new friendships were forged. Students mingled and reveled in the company of peers from different schools, as the dance floor became a stage for magic as students swayed and twirled to the rhythm of lively music. The singing and rapping performances added a unique and unforgettable touch to the ball. The ballroom became a place where worries of the upcoming exam melted away, and the sheer bliss of celebration took hold.
As the night drew to a close, the ballroom was filled with a bittersweet sentiment. Students had experienced a night of enchantment, with new friendships built and memories etched forever in their hearts. The Christmas ball had not only brought together students from different schools, but it had also united everyone in the spirit of joy and celebration.
As the festivities concluded, the memories created at these events would continue to echo in the hearts of all who attended, making this Christmas an especially memorable one for us all.
By 4D 18 Sophie Tsang
EPDSHARING
SECTION1
AVIANA
VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL
After enduring several years of the COVID-19 pandemic, the junior form service-learning programs have finally made a comeback This year, all Form 3 students have been divided into different batches to take part in the F3 Saviour Lutheran School (SLS), Choi Jun School (CJS), and St Paul’s Co-educational College (SPCC) School Integration Programmes on weekends from March to April. It's an exciting opportunity for us to design and execute group activities, such as dodgeball and orienteering, alongside students with special education needs and mental disabilities
As a member of Batch 1, our group had the privilege of visiting the Saviour Lutheran School (SLS) in Shek Kip Mei Some of us were assigned as group leaders, responsible for demonstrating the games and overseeing different game stations, while others were paired up with SLS students as partners.
On the day of the visit, we gathered at the MTR station and walked together to SLS After a briefing session, we warmly welcomed our partners from SLS and kicked off the day with an ice-breaking session of 'rock, paper, scissors' To my surprise, the students at SLS displayed enthusiasm and actively participated in the ice-breaking activities. They even invited us to engage in conversations with them. I discovered that we share common interests, such as one of the boys at SLS having participated in the Hong Kong Schools Speech Festival and having a keen interest in English Additionally, the students shared fun facts about themselves, like their love for bubble tea and fruits
VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL
When it was time for the group activities, we engaged in various games, including spelling challenges and KaBoom KaBoom required close cooperation between us and our partners, as we had to pay attention and step on cards representing different numbers in the correct order Everyone was incredibly focused, and we divided the workload efficiently The SLS students actively participated and offered suggestions on how we could collaborate better, ensuring that we completed the task within the shortest possible time
One aspect of the program that left a lasting impression on me was the level of independence exhibited by the majority of students at SLS. Many of them traveled to and from school on their own and even bought their breakfast along the way. Their independence is truly admirable and serves as a testament to their resilience and determination
VISITING SAVIOUR LUTHERAN SCHOOL
Similarly, my friends who participated in orienteering games in the Hong Kong Park with CJS students found that the students were not only obedient to rules but also tried their best to run and search for checkpoints, finishing the tasks in the shortest time
Overall, the visit to SLS was an eyeopening experience, while we are grateful for the privilege of being part of the F3 SLS, CJS, and SPCC School Integration Programmes, as they have enriched not only our own lives but also the lives of those we had the honor to meet and interact with students with special education needs It not only fostered empathy, understanding, and appreciation for individuals with different abilities but also taught us a powerful lesson: 'We should never label others.' Disabilities do not define a person's passion for learning Instead, we witnessed firsthand how they possess a unique blend of obedience and an insatiable curiosity and desire to learn
I am glad I chose to join Hip Hop Team B in Form Two. Throughout the years, I’ve witnessed the evolution of the team, and bonded with people that I wouldn’t have met outside of the dance room. This is the place where everything started, the passion, the friendships, the team spirit
Every Thursday, we dance in the Dance Room for an hour and a half. During times like Spring and Summer, which are the post-competition period, we would try out different genres of dance, namely Hip Hop, jazz funk, and others I don’t even remember the name of Memorizing the names and steps of those dances is not the point anyway, because we had fun, and we broke out of our comfort zone to explore in areas we weren’t that familiar with It’s sort of like a tradition, where the seniors of the team take care of the newer members, helping them out with the seemingly impossible-to-learn-in-30minutes steps. I liked that, and it pulled us closer, dance step by dance step.
Nonetheless, the highlight of the year is definitely the Inter-School Dance Festival. I’ve experienced it three times, three different themes, three different stages, and a bunch of new people each time. In rehearsals, the choreography would adjust accordingly to the skill level of each batch of people, with dazzling patterns that I absolutely adore I still vividly recall the anxiety of stepping on the stage for the first time in Form Three, pouring my heart and soul into the only chance we got on stage. The tears we cried after we finished the performance, erupted into cheers in the performance hall when we won. The dance that we thought looked goofy in practice, transformed into energy and determination on stage. The hard work didn’t go to waste, everyone left with a grin on their face.
If you are interested in dance and want to have a great time learning studio-like classes, come to the audition for Hip Hop Team B next academic year!
But what if we lost? Even after hours and hours of hard work, our piece this year was awarded a grade that was lower than what we received last year, which some of us considered losing. We had high expectations, the storyline was great, and we loved the drama and the atmosphere. We were worried about the lack of emotions, but we thought we did great What exactly went wrong? The answer was frequent mistakes and the overemphasis on the ‘drama’ element. Things happen, and it is understandable that our nervousness and unfamiliarity with the environment lead to mistakes Everyone pulled out their phones, ready to scream as loud as we could when they announced us in the ‘honors’ category, but dead silence hung in the air. Our hearts sank, sniffles peaking through the cheers from other schools. I looked to the side, the dancers were crying We left the performance hall with redrimmed eyes, sobbing with our heads down.
S m v c
“One choir, one soul.” We chanted it over and over again, and under the screams of joy and tears of happiness, we were crowned as “Most Outstanding Choir of the Year”. We could have never expected it, and we embraced this victory with hearts of gratefulness and thankfulness towards all those who supported us on this journey, especially our beloved conductor and teacher,MrApolloWong.K a t ie W o n g
SMVCpracticesstartedoffasweeklyroutines for us, walking down to Admiralty under the faint street lights at 7pm. We constantly glancedupattheclock,waitingforrehearsals to end so we could go home and finish our homework.
Months passed by in a hazy blur. We were still unfamiliarwiththeMusicFestivalcompetition pieces, and February arrived. The Choral TrainingCampwasheldduringtheLunarNew Yearholidays,andwewereconstantlysinging for three whole days. Hours of singing made us start to warm up with the pieces and with the people singing around us. The first competition of the Music Festival was only a week away from the Choral Training Camp, and we started seeing the stress on our part leaders' faces. Luckily for us, we were able to memorize everything quickly and we strode to our competition venues with high hopes andconfidence.
Our Boys Choir delivered a powerful performance with Coonarwin, a song sung by a father to his rebellious son, and Little Innocent Lamb, which speaks of serving the Lord. Despite the lack of experience on stageformostofourboys,theywereableto achieve the first triumph with a result of second runner-up in the Boys’ Foreign Language competition. Thrilled by the news of their achievements, us girls went to our own contest, the Girls’ Foreign Language competition. Singing our songs The Lord is My Shepherd and Laudate pueri Dominum, we believed we did our best on stage as The LordisMyShepherdwassunginpure,clean, and balanced voices. Most of us were extremely nervous as Laudate pueri Dominum required absolute perfection in synchronization and accuracy of body movements. To our dismay, the results did not meet our expectations. We were not in the top three, and we were disappointed in ourselves. Nonetheless, we had to move onwardsandcarryonourcompetition.
The next competition was Foreign Language Mixed, and we were singing Vidi Aquam and our beloved Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine. Vidi Aquam was another piece of holy music, and like The Lord is My Shepherd, it demanded perfect balance between voice parts. Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine brought the audience into the story of Leonardo when he was lured to build a machine that enabled him to fly and the actual journey of flying. Imitating the wind, siren voices added touches of magicalness to the song, and singing it was truly like flying in the sky. After performing both songs, we were once again confident as we believed our songs were executed to our best. Unfortunately, again, we were not in the top three. Rounds of disappointment washeduponus,andalotofuscriedupon theconstantdefeats.Wewerecompletely lost and every ounce of our confidence was dying as our efforts were once again not recognised. Upon arriving back at school, we were all holding on to packets of tissues that were soaked with tears and could not look into other teammates’ eyes withoutcryingagain.
We could not let ourselves dwell in this sadness for long as our last chance to prove ourselves was not far from the previous competition. The Chinese Mixed Voice competitionheldthelasttwoticketstotheFinals,andwecouldonlyputallourhopein our two Chinese songs, 星星許的願 and 信 . The final rehearsals for the Chinese competition were unforgettable, as we were whispering words of encouragement to each other though we all were holding back tears. A lot of us were very sick by that time, hours of rehearsals and heavy amounts of schoolwork exhausted every drop of ourenergy.Coughsandsneezeswereheardeverywhere,yetwecarriedon.Wewanted to give our best on stage, and we wanted to not have any regrets. Our choir motto was 「搏盡無悔」,andwewishedwecouldfullyenjoyourselvesforthelasttimeonthestage. Inthesong信,therearelyricslike「寧願化⾶灰，不作微塵。寧投烈⽕裡⾯卻留痕，寧願讓光輝 耗盡⽽滅，也不隨朽⽊同腐同爛」, and we wished to be just like what the lyrics described. Yet with little time and little energy, we were unable to practice fully before the competition.Irememberedhowwedidnotevensingtheentirepieceof信oncebefore getting onto the bus to the competition venue. On the bus, Mr. Wong was still briefing uswithsomelast-minutereminderswhilethepartleaderswerecallingtheotherbusso wecouldalllistentothereminderstogetherdespitebeingontwoseparatebuses.
To be frankly honest, the Chinese Mixed Voice competition was the one we were least prepared for and least confident about. We did not expect to win anything or achieve any rewards, and we were just aiming to sing our best so we could enjoy the stage and be fully immersed in the beautiful songs. On the stage, I felt ourselves connected throughmusicandwemeanteverysinglewordthatwesangout.Attheendof信,Isaw a few of us getting teary-eyed as the lyrics 「⼈在世該⽣活，⽽⾮⽣存。」After the last phrase 「我相信」, I saw smiles of satisfaction and quivering lips trying to hold back tears. Completely moved by our singing, we went down the stage with music and devotiontowardsSMVClingeringinourvocalcords.
When the results were announced, we were holding hands and clutching each other, hearts beating together though we knew we were happy enough already. Miraculously, our school name was announced as finalists. I heard highpitched yellings, happy sobs, and ‘we did it’s swirling in the hall, and as our lyrics of 信 say, 「仍然相信，念念不忘，必有迴響。」. Or hard work paidoff,andwewereofftothefinals.
The finals were held on 18th March, and our section only started at 9 pm. Instead of exhausting ourselves with tiring last-minute training, Mr Wong let us take a lot of rest as he knew we were already tired from a day of school. After dinner, we lay across the school hall, and next to one another, we slept for some time. It was a whole new experience for us, to take naps with teammates, and to watch Mr Wong tirelessly prepare himself on the stage of the hall. The competition started with us being completely amazed by others’ performances. When it was our turn, we did not hold any fears. We did not come to compete, we came to do our best and perform music. We came to touch each other’s hearts with voices of burning passion.Wecametosing.Andwesang,pouring all of our souls into the songs and speaking to eachotherthroughmusic.Asthelyricssay,「願 旋律響遍每⼀年，願回⾳穿透延續下去。」When our song ended, I could see beautiful smiles on everyone’s faces, as we knew we sang our hearts out and we told our rocky journey to the audience.
Our fellow finalists were all marvelous teams of talented singers, and we appreciated their singing as much as their art of performing. We couldneverbelieveourearswhenweheardour school name being announced as the winner of Chinese Mixed, Best Mixed, and Most Outstanding Choir of the Year. It all felt like a dream, with waves of euphoria crashing upon us as we hugged and cried at the delightful news. We heard applause, congratulations, and trophies, but most importantly, we heard the mostastoundingversionofSMVC.
From the defeating start of the journey to th victory, we experienced an array of emotions the way. We cried tears of disappointment, t heartbreak, and we cried tears of joy. It was th memorable journey a team could walk t together. Hand in hand, we witnessed the mira ways in which our voice melted into each oth became the Most Outstanding Choir of the Ye deafening sorrows of the past contests were al worthwhile by this final glory. We promised t working hard and to keep singing. Afte competition,weheardfromotherpeoplethats the judges cried when we were singing. That even more than the awards, as we did what mu supposed to do, to touch the souls of those wh ourvoices,asourlyricsstated:「期盼我歌聲感化萬
d have Mr Apollo Wong. H ushowtosingdespiteourconstantfailureto his teachings. When we were hopeless and d, he did not give up on us. Instead, he ged us again and again and comforted us we all cried of disappointment towards s. He told us he could not sleep after our first ats,andwewereheartbrokenwhenweheard wasblaminghimselfandfeelingworriedforus. he just wanted us to be happy and he did not ut the awards. We all burst into tears upon him say so. He showed us devotion to music otion to teaching. We are more than thankful g such a teacher to guide us on this journey asthereasonwewon.「我相信薪⽕相傳的愛。」
Interviews with Teachers, NGOs, and SPCC Alumnus & Director of the WBB Programme
AGlimpseIntothe InnerWorkingofthe CRC
The Class Representative Committee, or CRC for short, is the student body committee that aims to act as the bridge between the Student Union and our schoolmates to foster communication. It ensures students can voice their opinions and have them reflected to the school. As the chairperson of the CRC this year, I would like to share some of my experiences working in this position.
While the CRC is generally less known amongst students at our school, it plays a huge role in the election process of a student union. I, along with the rest of the class representative committee, am responsible for relaying information from the Student Union on their Year Plan and Year Budget and conducting a voting session amongst the entire school to determine the approval of the Year Plan and Year Budget. This task may seem straightforward at first, but my experience from this year has argued otherwise. As a result of opposing views regarding the financial budget of Elleni, this year, the voting results had to be checked several times, a first in school history. This was rather challenging to me as my teacher advisors and I had to come up with completely new and appropriate measures to tackle this unforeseen circumstance while catering to both the demands of the students and the needs of the Student Union. Ultimately, after modifications to Elleni’s year budget and a re-voting, the Year Plan and Budget were both passed by a majority vote, which concluded this tumultuous saga.
ChairpersonofCRC,
The evaluation of Student Union activities is another key job of the CRC. To maintain the quality standard of all activities held by the Student Union, every class representative is tasked to evaluate one or two activities throughout the year. Being the leader of such a large student organization, it is not an easy task to come up with the observation rota. The vast number of Student Union activities held created further difficulties as only a limited number of them could be feasibly evaluated, meaning they must be selected via a criterion and ranked according to their importance. The solution I ended up coming up with involved asking my peers for help: I asked them to rank the Student Union activities based on personal significance, thereby limiting personal bias and upholding a certain degree of objectivity.
From these experiences working as the chairperson of the Class Representative, I have gained invaluable attributes as a student leader and have made me understand the importance of decision-making and effective listening in leadership, which I believe will be useful in the future. From one student to another, I actively encourage you to seek similar leadership positions, whether it is the captain of sports teams or the chairman of clubs. The experience will only enrich you and prepare you for the road ahead.
A flagship initiative that we are proud to share is that we gathered like-minded students passionate about volunteering,education,orboth.Now,ourvolunteernetworkcoversnotonlystudentsfromourschoolbutalsomany fromotherschoolsinHongKongandabroad OurrecenteffortsinexternalreachseamlesslyintegratedE-Concept withotherstudent-ledorganisationssuchasSTEMfordandProjectCircle,enhancingourabilitytoprovideeffective and high-quality service to those in need collectively The integration obviously facilitated our reach and impact on society, presenting solid proof of the importance of strategic management in bringing social change. It has always beensaidthatacompassionatemindsetisthekeytosocialimpact.Yet,inmyopinion,manychangescouldnotbe easilybroughtaboutbydiscreteandindividualvolunteeringefforts,sinceeachofushaslimitedtime.Irealisedthatit isonlythroughbothanappropriatemindsetandeffectivemanagementofresourcesthatcantrulyhelpthosearound us to the greatest extent we can I am glad that my team understands my vision and is willing to do their best they couldtofacilitateourmanagementoftheorganisation,tellingpeoplethatwearenotjustastudent-ledorganisation, butalsoaresponsible,dedicatedandimpactfulsocialenterprise,whoseabilitytoserveshallnotbeunderestimated.
As the CEO of E-Concept, I am very glad to have witnessed our growingimpact on society At every event,Itrulyfeltthepassionofourteammates,and their eagerness to serve the community and bring change to education. A poignant moment was captured vividly during the Squatter House Visit in August. The children smiled sweetly and their positivity never declined throughout the days It is justsoeasytocreatesmilesandwavesoflaughter for those around us. The memory constantly reminded me of the profound impact of education andvolunteering,whichcanbringhugeimpactand immeasurablejoyformany
It is the moment I think back to the shared smiles and collective commitment when I feel that my secondary school life is fruitful and fulfilled. Of course, balancing volunteering and academics is not an easy accomplishment, nor a risk that everyone is willing to take, but I reassure everyone that volunteering and advocacy are fulfilling experiences. I hope that our notion of empowering others through education will never diminish, but continue leaving a lasting impact towards those in need
My journey with E-Concept has also enlightened me and taught me a lot of new skills Undoubtedly, leading the team required me to foster unity and always act as a problemsolver. The countless hours I worked have honed my communication, problem-solving and management skills. Despite occasional conflicts within the team, I am pleased to seethatallargumentsstemfromthoughtfulconsiderationsfor the organisation and society I have also gained invaluable experiences such as writing proposals, attending external meetings in actual office buildings, and bulk purchasing of stationery and clothes. I strongly believe that having these experiences is the only stepping stone to becoming a good leader in society In addition, I have attained some surprising skills and knowledge, including leaflet distribution (for the STEM event last summer), simple bike repairing (as a volunteer’s bike broke down during our cycling event) and geographical and historical knowledge about Northern district in Hong Kong (for a multifaceted understanding about the situation of squatter house families). My growth and experiencesbecauseofE-Concepthavetrulyimpressedme. Volunteering is not just about bringing assistance to those in need, but also about shaping ourselves to become a better andmorecapableleaderofthefuture
1. What do you do as Deputy Head Prefect? What are some misconceptions some students may have regarding your post?
My job as Deputy Head Prefect involves maintaining the discipline of the students in SPCC, by doing uniform checks before and after assembly at the entrances, and patrolling the corridors during lunchtime. We also carry out uniform checks and patrolling duties during school events like Sports Day and Swimming Gala. However, what people don't know is that my job doesn't only involve disciplinary matters My job also involves being in charge of some internal events of the Prefect Board, such as holding auditions for the prefect announcers, the Enrichment Programme Day (EPD) for F4 students, and training for prefect trainees We also help out at various school events, such as Speech Day and Alumni Homecoming Day. Many students may think my only job is to patrol the corridors, but it actually involves a lot of preparation, planning and organisation
DeputyHead Prefect IvanYuen
2. Are there any mishaps you’ve encountered during your period of service? If so, how did you deal with them?
No amount of planning can prepare you for unforeseen circumstances Very often, these are the challenges that I face when I am on duty. On occassions, some prefects may be absent from their duties due to being sick or having other stuff to do During these scenarios, we have to quickly instruct the available prefects to cover all duty locations However, the most challenging scenario I encountered was on the first Sports Day When the events started to overrun, we didn’t have an extra group of prefects arranged for the situation, so the prefects on the last shift had to patrol the arena for more than 2 hours consecutively Because of this, we had to quickly come up with a solution so that the prefects would not get too tired In the end, we arranged for one prefect in each duty area to patrol while the other took a break, and they would swap after some time.
3. What are some skills or knowledge you gained while serving in this position?
I have learnt a lot of leadership skills during my period of service Firstly, I have learnt that proper preparation is crucial for any event, and during my period of service, I have been able to polish my preparation skills From the prefect announcer audition to the trainee training, everything requires prior preparation to ensure the smooth running of the events Throughout my period of service, I have learnt how to prepare a comprehensive plan for different events, making sure all aspects of the event are covered, as well as preparing multiple contingency plans to ensure the event can continue smoothly under different circumstances. I have also sharpened my decision-making skills, especially the ability to adapt to different situations and decide how to deal with a certain situation Everytime I carry out my duties, I face different scenarios, different people, and different challenges, and it is crucial that I have these abilities to make a decision on the spot to efficiently lead the other prefects, as well as carry out my duties effectively Finally, I have learnt to be more observant. During my duties, I have to be vigilant and take heed of my surroundings in order to decide what has to be done and act quickly
TeacherInterviews
WITH MS HELEN KWOK
COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PETS?
CURRENTLY, I AM OWNED BY ONE MONGREL. OOPS I MEANT TO SAY I OWN ONE MONGREL. KNOWN FOR HER UNDERBITE, CASHEW TURNED 7 IN MAY ADOPTED AND POWERED BY PLANTS, THE AGILE GIRL LOVES RUNNING, HIKING, HITTING THE BEACH AND CHILLING ON A PADDLEBOARD OR SKATEBOARD. YES, DOGS CAN BE VEGANS! DROOLING OVER AN ARRAY OF TREE NUTS, CASHEW STAYS AWAY FROM CASHEWS (HER . . . COUSINS?). SHE HAS A S-BARK-TACULAR PAW-SONALITY, WHICH MAKES IT EASY FOR HER TO MEET NEW FRIENDS (AND FUR-RIENDS).
DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABLE OR HEARTWARMING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR PETS?
I WAS SICK A FEW TIMES AND HAD TO STAY IN BED. CASHEW WOULD LIE BY THE EDGE OF THE BED WHEN I GOT UP TO USE THE BATHROOM, SHE WOULD WAIT OUTSIDE THE BATHROOM AND ENSURE I GOT BACK TO THE BED SAFELY EVEN IF MY HUSBAND TRIED TO DISTRACT HER WITH A BALL OR A COOKIE, SHE WOULD NOT GO AWAY
AS FOR THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS, I WOULD SAY EVERY TIME WE HIKE(D), THE TRUST THAT WE HAVE/HAD JUST AMAZES ME. ZIDANE (RESCUED AT THE AGE OF 9), BOOGIE, RANGER, NOW CASHEW, HAVE ALL HIKED OFF LEASH. AND THEY WOULD EITHER STAY BY MY SIDE OR REMAIN NO MORE THAN 10 METERS AHEAD OF ME. WHEN I CALLED THEIR NAMES, THEY WOULD COME TO ME. AS MUCH AS SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE ADULT DOGS, MIXED OR LARGE BREEDS WOULD BE HARD TO TRAIN AND WOULD NOT MAKE NICE FAMILY PETS, I SAY: LET GO OF BIASES. KEEP YOUR MIND (AND HEART) OPEN.
HOW DID YOU COME TO ADOPT OR ACQUIRE YOUR PET? CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND HOW THEY BECAME A PART OF YOUR FAMILY?
ALL THREE DOGS THAT JOINED OUR FAMILY BEFORE CASHEW DID WERE ADOPTED FROM HONG KONG DOG RESCUE. WHEN BOOGIE, RANGER AND I WERE HIKING IN LUK KENG ONE SATURDAY, WE HEARD WHIMPERS COMING FROM A BUSH. WELL I GUESS RANGER AND I HEARD THEM, BOOGIE, WITH HIS DROOPY BASSET HOUND EARS, PROBABLY SMELLED A FURBALL CASHEW’S PAWS WERE STILL PINK, BUT SHE WAS COVERED IN TICKS AND DID NOT SHOW INTEREST IN TREATS. AFTER SPENDING 4 HOURS AT THE VET CLINIC, I WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD NOT BEEN MICROCHIPPED AND SO THERE WAS NO OWNER TO CALL. I THEN ASKED BOOGIE AND RANGER IF THEY WANTED A SISTER SINCE THEY DIDN’T SAY ANYTHING, I TOOK IT AS A YES
HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS FROM YOUR PET?
RANGER, THE BLACK MONGREL THAT I HAD HAD UNTIL HE PASSED AWAY AT THE AGE OF 16, TAUGHT ME THE IMPORTANCE OF SELF-LOVE. “SCARY.” “AGGRESSIVE.” “UGLY.” “BAD LUCK.” “TASTY MEAT.” BLACK DOGS HAVE BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH A PLETHORA OF NEGATIVE TRAITS. FORTUNATELY, RANGER NEVER SEEMED TO CARE THE WAY HE WALKED REMINDS YOU OF A POISED, SELF-POSSESSED HORSE
IN ADDITION, HAVING LIVED WITH DOGS FOR NEARLY TWO DECADES, I BELIEVE THEY DO EXPERIENCE AN ARRAY OF EMOTIONS, INCLUDING FEAR, PAIN, ANXIETY AND SADNESS. AND I AM INCREASINGLY CONVINCED BY THE IDEA THAT “A DOG IS A PIG IS A SHEEP IS A COW IS A CHICKEN IS A DOLPHIN IS A TIGER IS A HUMAN” IT SEEMS IRRATIONAL TO “COMPARTMENTALIZE OUR COMPASSION” AND DECIDE THAT SOME ANIMALS DESERVE TO LIVE, TO BE LOVED, WHEN SOME SHOULD BE ON OUR PLATES
HOW CAN OWNING A PET POSITIVELY IMPACY ONE’S ABILITY TO FORM AND MAINTAIN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, SUCH AS MAKING NEW FRIENDS?
BECAUSE OF MY DOGS, IT HAS NEVER BEEN CHALLENGING TO STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH NEIGHBORS. WE EVEN GO HIKING, CAMPING AND YACHTING TOGETHER.
DO PETS PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING STRESS OR TENSION WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS? IF SO, HOW?
DEFINITELY EVERY DOG SHOULD BE WALKED AT LEAST THREE TIMES A DAY, AND THEY DON’T WALK THEMSELVES! SO WHEN WE TAKE THEM OUT, WE GET A CHANCE TO TAKE IN FRESH AIR, TALK TO OTHER PAW-RENTS, PET OTHER DOGS, STRETCH OUR LEGS FOR THOSE WHO REALLY WANT TO ADOPT A DOG BUT CAN’T DUE TO VARIOUS REASONS, SHORT-TERM FOSTERING AND VOLUNTEERING ARE OTHER WAYS TO HELP STRAY OR HOMELESS ANIMALS.
TeacherInterviews
WITH MS BELINDA NG
COULD YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR PETS?
MY FAMILY HAS TWO LONG-HAIRED DACHSHUNDS, OR ‘SAUSAGE DOGS’ AS THEY ARE POPULARLY KNOWN AS. ROSIE IS OUR BLACK AND TAN 3-YEAR-OLD GIRL AND ROMEO IS A GOLDEN 1-YEAROLD BOY. I HAVE ALWAYS LOVED THE WAY SAUSAGES LOOK AND IT’S VERY HARD TO RESIST THEIR CUTE FACES EVEN WHEN THEY DO NAUGHTY THINGS! THE BREED ORIGINATES FROM GERMANY AND THEY WERE BRED AS HUNTING DOGS THAT COULD BURROW TO CATCH SMALL PREY I SUPPOSE THAT’S WHY BOTH ROSIE AND ROMEO ENJOY BEING CUDDLED AND LOVE TO SNUGGLE IN TIGHT SPACES!
DO YOU HAVE ANY MEMORABLE OR HEARTWARMING EXPERIENCES WITH YOUR PETS?
ONE OF THE MOST CLASSIC EXCUSES FOR STUDENTS TO GIVE THEIR TEACHER WHEN THEY DO NOT HAVE THEIR HOMEWORK COMPLETED IS “THE DOG ATE IT”. THIS ACTUALLY CAME TRUE 2 YEARS AGO WHEN ROSIE GOT INTO MY TOTE BAG THAT CONTAINED MY STUDENTS’ COMPOSITIONS. SHE MANAGED TO PULL OUT A PILE FROM THE BAG AND RIP A FEW SHEETS AND THEN EAT SOME OF THE CORNERS OF THE PAPERS! I STILL REMEMBER BEING VERY EMBARRASSED HAVING TO EXPLAIN TO MY ENGLISH SET WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THEIR PAPERS AND WHY THEIR ESSAYS WERE HELD TOGETHER WITH TAPE WHEN I RETURNED THEM!
HOW DID YOU COME TO ADOPT OR ACQUIRE YOUR PET? CAN YOU SHARE THE STORY BEHIND HOW THEY BECAME A PART OF YOUR FAMILY?
WE HAD PUT IN SOME APPLICATIONS TO ADOPT A DOG, BUT NONE WERE SUCCESSFUL AND WE NOTICED THAT MOST OF THE DOGS THAT WERE AVAILABLE WERE MOSTLY LARGER BREEDS AND WE DIDN’T THINK THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CARE FOR A LARGE DOG THAT REQUIRES A LOT OF EXERCISE THEREFORE, WE SEARCHED FOR A SMALLER BREED THAT IS BETTER SUITED TO HONG KONG STYLE APARTMENT LIVING. ROSIE JOINED OUR FAMILY IN MAY OF 2020 DURING THE PANDEMIC WHICH WAS ACTUALLY SOMEWHAT OF A BLESSING IN DISGUISE AS WE WERE ABLE TO SPEND A LOT MORE TIME WITH HER WHEN WE WERE CONSTANTLY STUCK AT HOME AFTER ABOUT A YEAR OR SO, WE DECIDED TO FIND ROSIE A BUDDY IT ACTUALLY TOOK SOME TIME TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AS WE LET ROSIE DECIDE. WE SET UP LITTLE VISITS WHERE SHE COULD INTERACT WITH OTHER DACHSHUND PUPPIES TO SEE WHO SHE WOULD GET ALONG WITH. AFTER ABOUT 4 VISITS, SHE FINALLY CHOSE ROMEO!
HAVE YOU LEARNED ANY VALUABLE LIFE LESSONS FROM YOUR PET?
IN MANY WAYS, HAVING A PET IS MUCH LIKE HAVING A CHILD AS IT REALLY IS A BIG COMMITMENT. I ONCE READ SOMETHING ABOUT PETS WHICH REALLY RESONATED WITH ME. “DOGS MIGHT BE A SMALL PART OF OUR LIFE, BUT TO THEM WE ARE THEIR WHOLE LIFE.” THIS IS A REALLY POWERFUL REMINDER OF HOW FAITHFUL AND LOVING OUR PETS ARE TO US AND HOW WE AS HUMANS SHOULD ALWAYS TREAT THEM WITH THE SAME LOVE DURING THE TIME THAT THEY HAVE WITH US
HOW CAN OWNING A PET POSITIVELY IMPACY ONE’S ABILITY TO FORM AND MAINTAIN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS, SUCH AS MAKING NEW FRIENDS?
SINCE BECOMING A DOG OWNER, I HAVE DEFINITELY NOTICED THAT IT’S BEEN VERY EASY TO STRIKE UP CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER DOG OWNERS AND MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHO LIKE TO CHAT ABOUT DOGS IN GENERAL OR SHARE TIPS ON HOW TO CARE FOR THEM. AND SINCE DACHSHUNDS ARE A BREED THAT IS HIGHLY RECOGNISABLE. THERE ARE LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO STOP TO PET ROSIE AND ROMEO AND ASK QUESTIONS ABOUT THEM EVERYWHERE WE GO! ROSIE AND ROMEO ARE SOMEWHAT FAMOUS IN OUR COMPLEX, THEY HAVE A LOT OF OTHER 4-LEGGED FRIENDS AND NEIGHBOURS WHO REALLY LOVE THEM. THEY EVEN HAVE A DOG SQUAD THAT MEETS EACH EVENING TO GO ON WALKS TOGETHER SO THAT THEY CAN SOCIALISE!
DO PETS PLAY A ROLE IN REDUCING STRESS OR TENSION WITHIN RELATIONSHIPS? IF SO, HOW?
I THINK THAT ROSIE AND ROMEO HAVE BEEN A VERY GOOD STRESS RELIEVERS FOR OUR FAMILY BECAUSE THEY LOVE US SO UNCONDITIONALLY. FROM THE MOMENT WE OPEN THE DOOR AFTER SCHOOL THEY ARE THERE TO GREET US WITH THEIR WAGGING TAILS AND SMILEY FACES, READY TO PLAY. I DON’T REALLY THINK THAT THERE MUCH TENSION BETWEEN MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY IN GENERAL, BUT WHEN WE ARE FEELING DOWN OR UNHAPPY AFTER A BAD DAY, THE DOGS SEEM TO SENSE IT AND WILL ALWAYS TRY TO CHEER US UP WITH A LICK OR A WET NOSE TO LET US KNOW THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR US!
GAME ON founded by Owen Ng
Game On HK is a student-led initiative dedicated to offering sports opportunities to underprivileged children Our mission is to arrange training sessions led by a team of passionate secondary school students, both experienced and aspiring Through these efforts, we strive to empower children to pursue their sports dreams by providing them with valuable training and mentorship Game On is not just any ordinary organization, but a platform connecting underprivileged children with sport-trained volunteers
WHY I STARTED GAME ON
Around a year ago, I took part in a 3-on-3 basketball tournament Our team defeated every opponent easily and was crowned champions However, feeling remorseful about our advantage, I refrained from celebrating with my teammates since our opponents lacked proper sports gear–wearing PE white shoes instead of the fancy basketball shoes we had, not to mention the absence of a proper basketball team jersey
I want to bring out the message to youngsters that they can make an impact on society through their hobbies and interests Volunteering should not be limited to education, giving out free lunch boxes, or helping out the homeless It can also be about sports
MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE
Driven by compassion, I gave him my own basketball and encouraged him to train diligently on his own Around a month ago, I crossed paths with the kid and his mother on my way to school His mother shared with me that the kid had put in tremendous effort in his training and was now actively participating in competitions It was a deeply moving moment for me, witnessing his transformation from zero to one I had not anticipated that Game On would have such a significant impact and truly fulfill a child's dream
ADVICE FOR CONSISTENTLY SUSTAINING ORGANIZATIONS
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic the problem of underprivileged children lacking resources and activities to do has stirred up heated controversies When I first founded Game On HK, I had no idea that this was such a major problem I remember hosting our first three-week basketball camp with St Barnabas Society & Home Little did I know that this experience would open my eyes to the profound struggles faced by children who live in low-income neighborhoods, particularly when it came to lacking essential resources and opportunities for growth During the camp, I met a kid who stood out among the participants, assertive in learning, and talented in dribbling even though it was his first lesson Despite the hardships he faced he displayed an immense passion for basketball However, it became evident that he didn’t possess the necessary equipment to pursue his love for the sport He arrived at the camp each day wearing the same worn-out T-shirt and shoes After the training session, I walked up to him, eager to make sense of his circumstances With a sense of vulnerability, he shared that his parents, burdened by financial constraints, were unable to afford a basketball for him I was really shocked as I realized that his dreams were hindered not by lack of talent or determination, but by the unfortunate circumstances he was born into
HOW TO BALANCE MANAGING
NGOS & ACADEMICS
At SPCC academics are of paramount importance, and I recognize the importance of staying on top of my studies To ensure that I meet academic requirements while also fulfilling my responsibilities within my organization I prioritize completing homework and assignments during school hours whenever possible
My Advice for consistently sustaining organizations would be:
First, “nothing is impossible” I remember my friends and others laughing at my initiative and telling me that it was impossible They believed I was too young to be able to handle that much work: from hosting meetings with other large-scale NGOs to creating a platform for volunteers and children This was the biggest motivation for me because I wanted to prove them wrong Since I established Game On HK, we have served over 600 children and recruited around 200 volunteers in Hong Kong
Second, don t expect rewards Some individuals might start organizations just for their CVs and awards, I think it s quite hard for them to succeed since their intention is just to fulfill the CV requirements
HOW’S LIFE AS A
WORLD BACHELOR IN BUSINESS?
FROM
THE WBB DIRECTOR AND SPCC ALUMNUS
THREE WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITIES. THREE CONTINENTS. THREE DEGREES. ONE UNPARALLELED EXPERIENCE.
THE WORLD BACHELOR IN BUSINESS (WBB) IS A 4-YEAR PROGRAM ACROSS 3 CONTINENTS, EQUIPPING STUDENTS WITH GLOBAL EXPERTISE, CULTURAL IMMERSION, AND REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES TO PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS.
INTERVIEWING WBB PROGRAM
DIRECTOR PROFESSOR STEPHEN NASON & SPCC ALUMNUS JUSTIN TANG
PROFESSOR NASON ON THE BESTS and WORSTS of wbb
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING
BY ADAPTING TO DIFFERENT UNIVERSITIES
EACH YEAR, THE STUDENTS ARE MOLDED INTO TRUE GLOBAL CITIZENS, OFTEN MORE MATURE THAN PEERS THEIR AGE REQUIRED TO MEET THE STANDARDS OF THREE DEGREES, THEY ARE FULLY ADEPT AT CRITICAL THINKING.
DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES
THE BREADTH OF BUSINESS EDUCATION IN THE FIRST 3 YEARS PROVIDES THEM WITH A GOOD DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES. THE FINAL YEARS ALLOW THEM TO DELVE INTO AREAS OF INTEREST WITH A COMBINATION OF CRITICAL THINKING DEVELOPMENT AND REAL-WORLD GLOBAL EXPOSURE.
BREADTH AND DEPTH
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE GENERAL BUSINESS EDUCATION WITH GREAT BREADTH, RATHER THAN DEPTH IN ANY ONE DOMAIN. ULTIMATELY, THE TRADEOFF IS BETWEEN A WELL-ROUNDED EDUCATION VERSUS THE ABILITY TO DEEPLY SPECIALIZE IN A PARTICULAR FIELD.
JUSTIN TANG ON
how does wbb differ from spcc schooling?
GLOBAL MINDSET
EVERYONE I MEET HAS LIVED IN DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. YOU GET TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR BACKGROUNDS, WHICH IS NOT ONLY INSIGHTFUL BUT ALSO IMPROVES YOUR PEOPLE SKILLS.
EXPERIENTIAL EXCERCISES
YOU GET TO PRACTICE YOUR MANAGEMENT SKILLS THROUGH SIMULATIONS OF IMAGINARY SITUATIONS, LIKE HOW TO SURVIVE A ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE OR CLIMB MOUNT EVEREST, WHICH IS ALWAYS A HELPFUL DEBRIEF.
LECTURE FORMAT
UNLIKE SPCC, EVERY LESSON YOU ATTEND IS WITH DIFFERENT PEOPLE. YOU ALSO GET MANY CHANCES TO PRESENT AND DISCUSS YOUR FINDINGS, WHICH CAN FOSTER A REFRESHING AND FRUITFUL SYNTHESIS OF IDEAS.
unrivaled global exposure
JUSTIN’S FAVORITE EXTRACURRICULAR RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES
GLOBAL SOCIAL IMPACT PROGRAM
IN JAPAN, HE FORMULATED EXPANSION STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL ENTERPRISES AIMING TO REACH SOUTHWEST ASIA, HONING HIS CONSULTING SKILLS THROUGH HANDS-ON INVOLVEMENT.
USC COLLEGE CHOIR
IN USC, HE SANG WITH A SPECTRUM OF PEOPLE WITH DIFFERENT DEGREES AND PERFORMED AT A CONCERT WITH NEIGHBORING SCHOOLS FOR HIS FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
INTERNATIONAL CASE COMPETITIONS
IN THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, HE PRESENTED BUSINESS IDEAS TO COMPANY EXECUTIVES AND RECEIVED FEEDBACK, WHICH PROVIDED INSIGHTS EXCEEDING THAT OF NORMAL LECTURES.
In the calloused hand of the old man, The crumbled banknote he insisted on giving “You risked your life for my Ann, You are the reason she’s living!”
The fire broke out in the rustic countryside; The fusty electric fan was the culprit. We hurried with the quickest ride, Yet not nearly quick enough to restrain it
The old lady was not killed, yet unsparingly injured, “Not optimistic,” the ambulanceman sighed Her husband, the old man, was uninjured; Lucky he was, he went outside.
“I was stupid to leave her unprotected ” “She can’t walk well, I shouldn’t have left her alone.”
“I am really sorry you firemen are affected.” He mumbled, he whined, he moaned
Told from the humble cottage, they were anything but wealthy; Not to mention now with their house destroyed. Yet now, he half-begged me, To take the money he devoid.
We told him, firm as steel, we cannot take the money, He, with tears like raindrops, kneeled down before us, “You will always be the noblest of men to me ” “Thank you all for saving us. ”
They tried their best, Yet even doctors were powerless to save a body so damaged Though, as always, unexpressed, We all were sorrowful for what happened.
It was one week later, evening, As I leave the firestation with a tired soul, Was the old man, a bit humpbacked, waiting, In his hands, big basket of mangoes, the colour gold
He glimpsed, a bit shy, “I don’t have much, but at least take the mangoesI planted them myself, for you all to try.” I stared, eyes blurry, at those golden mangoes.
Later that night we shared them ‘round, The mangoes were succulent, yes; Yet strangely, no one exclaimed, no one made a sound. This will be one of those memorable nights, I guess
The mangoes.
They were the sweetest, yet bitterest, sourest thing I had ever tasted
A DINNER WITH AN EMPEROR
Sophie Tang
In the hazy state, I rubbed my eyes in disbelief: "Where am I?" I saw that I was sitting on a mat. There was nothing on the bed except for one person. The porcelain pillow was clean and jade-white and covered with blue Chinese patterns. The furnishings in the room were so simple, with only two wooden tables and chairs. It looked like an architecture that I had read in Chinese history textbooks. The thick, unique woody fragrance filled the room.
A woman in an ancient costume came in festive steps, hurriedly said， "Hey, my son, Emperor Bing has come!"
Before finishing her words, she enthusiastically pulled me out of the room. We stumbled along the way, and there were countless questions in my mind - Is this the Song Dynasty? She calls me "baby", so am I her son? Suddenly, the woman let go of my hand and stopped. The people were all wearing simple and festive ancient clothes, and everyone looked so serious and busy.
Some of them were walking around with basins that seemed to be used for washing faces, and some were bringing out pots and pots of smoky dishes in the woodshed nearby. Men helped burn, fan, and add firewood. The sweat on their faces kept dripping down, but their eyes were staring at the blazing flames all the time. At this time, a familiar yet unfamiliar aroma of food came to my nostrils. Have I smelled it? Why does the food in front of me look so familiar? Let me see…
Oh! Isn’t this the must-have reunion dish for my family every New Year – Poon Choi?
People also helped move the tables and chairs. Sauce is poured on the pots of vegetables. A child who was playing with stones walked to the middle table and sat down.
The people on the side immediately said, "Please enjoy it, your Majesty!" The villagers then returned to their seats, and took me to the side of Emperor Bing, saying that I am the glory of the whole village as a minor official in the wealth field.
As soon as we settled down, I started a conversation with emperor Bing.
According to him, he didn’t like being an emperor at all. He changed from being trapped in the palace to "touring" everywhere; from eating palace food to eating "hundreds of families' food"; from studying every day to "doing nothing".
I fell silent - not because of fear of being revealed, but the mixed feelings. The emperor was just a child! Why is war ruthlessly taking away innocent lives? Perhaps, the old saying is true, ignorance really is bliss!
The feast ended with laughter. Perhaps, only with these characters, big and small, can we write a history with ups and downs, joys and sorrows.
SCHOOLFUN
ELLENI’s playlist spots in school SPCC WORD SEARCh
is my favorite place at school because it is a space dedicated to a lot of valuable memories. Not only does knowledge come alive there, but it is also a room glutted with laughter. I definitely enjoy chatting with my friends, discussing maths questions, and sharing snacks together in my classroom.
the library
is my absolute favorite place at school because it's like stepping into a magical realm of knowledge and adventure! It's not just a quiet space filled with books; it's a treasure trove of imagination and discovery.
the canteen
is hands down my favorite place at school because it's a hub of deliciousness and camaraderie! The aroma of freshly baked treats and sizzling snacks fills the air, enticing me with mouthwatering options.
But it's not just about the food; it's about the laughter and chatter that fill the air as friends gather to eat together. The canteen truly is a place where good vibes and tasty bites collide!
Aviana STUDENT POST
Student Union Teachers-In-Charge Student Union Publicity Board
Seto Ching Grace 5H Samuel Li 3D
Sophie Tang 3D Sophie Tsang 4D Avery Tam 4G Katie Wong 5E
